The Toretto family tree is branching out, with Hollywood icon Rita Moreno joining the cast of the upcoming Fast & Furious 10 as Vin Diesel’s character’s grandmother.
The actor shared the news about the new Fast X casting on Instagram in a video with the West Side Story star.
Diesel, who stars as Dominic Toretto, said: “It’s been my dream forever to work with Rita Moreno and the fact that she’s here, playing my grandmother, makes my soul smile. I’m so blessed.”
Production on Fast & Furious is in full swing, and Diesel has been sharing updates throughout on the upcoming movie, including making the announcement that Captain Marvel actor Brie Larson would be joining the cast.
He’s also shared the casting of franchise newcomers Jason Momoa and Alan Ritchson, as well as confirmed the return of longtime Fast Family members Jordana Brewster, Michelle Rodriguez, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Sung Kang and Nathalie Emmanuel.
However, one OG member of the family almost didn’t make it.
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Diesel recently took to Instagram to explain that Jordana Brewster, who plays his on-screen sister Mia Toretto, was originally excluded from the Fast & Furious 10 script.
Brewster’s character has been an on-off part of the Fast franchise since the original movie – for instance, she was absent from The Fate of the Furious following the death of Paul Walker, with Mia romantically involved with his character Brian O’Conner. However, she returned for F9.
In a lengthy Instagram post, Diesel wrote on Wednesday 20th April: “When the F10 script came in, it excluded Mia Toretto… Someone whom I’ve attributed the brotherhood of Dom and Brian to. I was so disappointed that I couldn’t see how I could continue.”
He added: “After all, I wasn’t going to make another Fast unless Brian was back in Four… I don’t need to remind you of the petitions you sent the studio for Letty’s return at the end of Five.”
Diesel went on to reveal that it was one of his daughters who managed to get Mia added back into the script.
“Side note, you will never believe who corrected the very important role of Mia… my daughter, the Alpha Angel, who told the director very plainly and honestly ‘NO MIA NO FAST 10!’ haha,” he said.
“The irony, is that the day she was born I was filming with Jordana and Pablo and it was Jordana who I first told… profound right?”
What’s more, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson won’t be appearing in the next two instalments. Johnson was an integral part of the franchise from Fast Five onwards but after sitting out Fast 9 following reports of on-set disagreements with Diesel on the previous film, Johnson told SlashFilm that he won’t be returning for Fast 10 or 11.
“I wish them the best of luck on Fast 10 and Fast 11 and the rest of the Fast & Furious movies they do that will be without me,” he said.
Nevertheless, Diesel is promising “something special” to round off the Fast saga that will leave fans “shocked”.
“We’ve been working on 10 for the last year, so I have so much to share and I’m holding back,” he told Metro. “I know that one of the things [director] Justin [Lin] wants to do is to film on all seven continents, which I think is pretty spectacular, as a homage to the world that’s adopted this saga as their own.”
Louis Leterrier is directing the movie after Lin stepped down from the role back in April, just days after production began.
So, get ready to fire up your engines and hit that NOS, because the Fast & Furious franchise isn’t out of gas just yet!
Read on for all the essential info about Fast & Furious 10: Parts One and Two.
Fast & Furious 10 release date
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It’s been a while since Fast & Furious 9 revved its way into cinemas, but we have a confirmed release date for the next film, with Fast X set to hit cinemas on 19th May 2023.
After Justin Lin’s decision to step down as director, doubts were cast over whether Fast X would make its release date.
But, with Louis Leterrier now thought to have taken over as director of Fast & Furious 10 as detailed above, the movie could still get back on track – and make its release date.
The studio did not reveal a reason for the delay, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
It is expected to face competition from Disney’s live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid and the DC Comics film Shazam! Fury of the Gods.
The 10th instalment in the main series of hit films began production on Wednesday 20th April 2022.
Star Vin Diesel confirmed the news on Instagram where he posted the film’s logo alongside the caption “Day One”.
Will there be a Fast & Furious 10?
Yes, and it will be called Fast X.
The good news is that not one but two more Fast movies have been confirmed. The bad news is that these will be the final entries in the main series – though the door remains open for more spin-offs and continuations in the vein of 2019’s Hobbs & Shaw.
“The universe is so robust and so rich with talent and rich with a story that, on one level, it’s totally feasible to have spin-offs, and I think that’s something that is inevitable,” Vin Diesel told Total Film back in February 2020.
In October 2020, Deadline reported the following that Justin Lin – the series’ most prolific director having helmed five of the films including Fast 9 – would return to helm both movies, which would reportedly focus on one overarching story.
However, just days after filming kicked off, Lin stepped back from the project.
As detailed above, he confirmed the news in a statement on 26th April 2022, explaining that, while he’ll say on as producer, he will no longer direct Fast X or the second finale film.
However, fans needn’t worry: Louis Leterrier is now set to take over as director of Fast X after Lin’s exit.
According to Variety, Marvel director Louis, whose previous films include Transporter 2, Unleashed, Now You See Me and Netflix show Lupin, will replace Lin on set.
While sources told the publication that details are still being worked out, if everything comes together, the movie could be back on track in a matter of days – and still make its release date.
According to Deadline, Lin’s departure was amicable but the result of creative differences between Lin and studio Universal.
Lin previously released a statement on his decision to step down as director, explaining: “With the support of Universal, I have made the difficult decision to step back as director of Fast X, while remaining with the project as a producer.”
He continued: “Over 10 years and five films, we have been able to shoot the best actors, the best stunts, and the best damn car chases. On a personal note, as the child of Asian immigrants, I am proud of helping to build the most diverse franchise in movie history.
“I will forever be grateful to the amazing cast, crew and studio for their support, and for welcoming me into the FAST family.”
Fast & Furious 10 cast: Who will return?
While the final cast list for the movie is yet to be confirmed, fans can expect most of the “familia” to return for the next movie in the series, including:
- Vin Diesel as Dominic Toretto
- Michelle Rodriguez as Letty Ortiz
- Tyrese Gibson as Roman Pearce
- Chris “Ludacris” Bridges as Tej Parker
- Jordana Brewster as Mia Toretto
- Nathalie Emmanuel as Ramsey
- Charlize Theron as Cipher
- John Cena as Jakob Toretto
- Cardi B as Leysa
- Brie Larson as TBC
- Jason Momoa as TBC
- Daniela Melchior as TBC
Jordana Brewster also returned to the franchise in Fast 9 having skipped the previous movie, so it’s no surprise that she’s returning again as Mia Toretto. With Mia’s return, Fast 9 had to explain why Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) wasn’t at her side – he was looking after his and Mia’s children, as well as Dom’s son, his namesake little Brian (Isaac & Immanuel Holdane) – but former director Lin has hinted that Brian might actually appear in some form in Fast 10.
In an interview with CinePop, Lin said: “Obviously, Paul and his character Brian are the soul and heart of how we’ve moved forward. Bringing him back is something I think about every day. As we near the end of the franchise, it’s a conversation I’m having. I think about this possibility every day.”
Paul Walker was halfway through shooting 2015’s Furious 7 when he died, with a combination of CGI and body doubles being used to complete his scenes. It’s possible that something similar could be attempted for Fast 10 in order for Brian to play a small role.
Jordana Brewster has also suggested that Walker’s daughter Meadow could make a cameo in a future Fast movie as a tribute to her late father. “I feel like she feels so comfortable with us and she feels very included in our universe,” Brewster told Access. “And so to extend that onto being on screen would be very natural, I think. It would be very cool.”
Having been brought back from the dead in Fast 9, we can also expect Sung Kang to remain part of Dom’s crew in future movies as Han Lue.
Read more: How is Han alive in Fast & Furious 9?
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John Cena made his debut as Jakob Toretto – Dom and Mia’s long-lost brother who is also a master thief and assassin (because why not?) – in Fast 9. By the end of the movie, he’d made amends with Dom after a misunderstanding involving their father’s death was resolved. Though that film ended with Jakob still on the run from the authorities, it’s likely that Cena will reprise his character in any follow-up – after all, Mia did urge him not to stay away from his family for too long.
The fate of Kurt Russell’s spymaster Mr. Nobody was left ambiguous in Fast 9 – if he’s still alive, it’s feasible he could be back in Fast 10 too.
Fast 9 featured cameo appearances from Cardi B as Dom’s old acquaintance Leysa and Vin Diesel has already confirmed that she’ll be back for the next film in a bigger role, telling Entertainment Tonight: “We are very much excited to evolve her character and to expand it to the finale.”
Delighting fans of 2006’s The Fast And The Furious: Tokyo Drift, that film’s stars Lucas Black (playing Sean Bowell), Bow Wow (Twinkie) and Jason Tobin (Earl Hu) all returned to play supporting roles in Fast 9. By the end of the film, they appeared to be an established part of Dom’s crew – even attending the traditional family barbecue – so might stick around for another high-speed adventure.
Interestingly, Fast 9 featured a cameo from another franchise regular, Santos (Don Omar), but his partner-in-crime Leo (Tego Calderon) was absent – it’s possible then that one or both of the pair could reappear in Fast 10.
Speaking of absentees, Jason Statham only appears in the Fast & Furious 9 post-credits scene as Deckard Shaw, so we’d anticipate a larger role for him in the next movie – as well as another possible appearance from Helen Mirren as his mother “Queenie” Shaw.
As for Shaw’s sparring partner Luke Hobbs, it seems Dwayne Johnson won’t be involved in Fast 10 – he sat out Fast 9 following reports of disagreements with Vin Diesel and while fans had hoped to see Hobbs back for the two-part Fast finale, Johnson recently told SlashFilm that he won’t be returning.
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As for new characters, Diesel told Digital Spy that he’d be keen to have his The Last Witch Hunter co-star Sir Michael Caine join the franchise. Caine as the Shaw family patriarch, Queenie’s ex-husband and father to Deckard and Luke? We can see it.
The upcoming movie will also introduce Aquaman star Jason Momoa to the franchise, with his casting being confirmed in January 2021.
Momoa recently shared new details about his vague Fast & Furious 10 villain, clarifying that his character does have scenes with franchise lead Vin Diesel along with notorious villain, Charlize Theron.
“He’s amazing. He’s ornery. He’s misunderstood,” Momoa told Entertainment Tonight. “I get to shoot with some really cool people that I have never – I get to work with Charlize Theron first up, which I’m really excited about. She’s amazing. Then I get to go to some cool places, obviously work with the whole cast – most of the cast, but yeah I’m excited working with Vin. I’m excited I’m working with Charlize.”
And he’s not the only comic book movie star joining for the next entry, as Captain Marvel herself Brie Larson has officially signed on for the film.
Vin Diesel announced the news on his Instagram in April 2022, alongside a picture of the pair together.
“Clearly, there is love and laughter in this image. What you don’t see, however, is the character you will be introduced to in ‘Fast 10′,” he wrote.
“You have no idea how timeless and amazing she will be in our mythology. Beyond her beauty, her intellect… her Oscar, haha is this profound soul who will add something you might not have expected but yearned for. Welcome to the FAMILY Brie.”
Larson confirmed the news in a tweet, writing alongside the same photo: “Excited doesn’t even begin to explain how I feel about joining the Fast family thank you for welcoming me in with so much kindness and excitement, @vindiesel. can’t wait to share more (when I can).”
excited doesn’t even begin to explain how I feel about joining the Fast family ???????? thank you for welcoming me in with so much kindness and excitement, @vindiesel.
— Brie Larson (@brielarson) April 10, 2022
can’t wait to share more (when I can ????) pic.twitter.com/miJlbiwV9d
And as detailed above, Hollywood icon Rita Moreno has joined the cast of the upcoming Fast & Furious 10 as Vin Diesel’s character’s grandmother.
The actor shared the exciting news about the new Fast X casting on Instagram in a video with Moreno.
Diesel, who stars as Dominic Toretto, begins the video: “It’s been my dream forever to work with Rita Moreno and the fact that she’s here, playing my grandmother, makes my soul smile. I’m so blessed.”
Is there a trailer for Fast & Furious 10?
The film’s yet to start shooting, so there’s no footage available from Fast 10 yet – realistically, the soonest we’d get a glimpse of any teasers would be 2022.
Fast 9 did feature a post-credits scene however which may hint at what’s to come in the next film.
Fast & Furious 10 plot theories
Though plot details for Fast 10 are scarce at this early stage, Lin described Fast 9 are “the first film of the final chapter” so you can expect the next film to have close ties to the most recent outing.
“We’re kind of reconfiguring everything so that the next two movies should wrap up this amazing story for these characters,” Lin told Entertainment Tonight before his eventual exit.
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Story threads we can expect to see picked up include Dom’s past history with Leysa and his troubled relationship with brother Jakob, as well as his ongoing vendetta against Cipher, the woman who murdered the mother of his child.
The fate of Kurt Russell’s Mr Nobody – which was left ambiguous after his plane was taken out of the air by Jakob – could also be resolved.
We’d also expect some follow-up to Fast 9’s post-credits scene, which saw Han confront a surprised Deckard Shaw – the man who’d until now believed he’d assassinated Han in Tokyo. Awkward…
Of course, after Fast 9 went into space, the plot of the next movie will presumably have to reach even greater heights. Time travel? That rumoured Jurassic World crossover? We’re ruling nothing out… (For what it’s worth, Tyrese has backed a Transformers mash-up, which might get confusing given he appears in both franchises.)
Whatever happens next, Vin Diesel has revealed that he knows exactly how the core series of Fast movies will end.
“I have a scene that’s recurring [in my mind] and has been for many years now of what I’ve always imagined what the finale of the finale would be,” he told Collider. “And Justin [Lin] and I have talked to great lengths and we worked towards that. So much of F9 is getting prepped and ready for a two-part finale of the saga.
“So, could I articulate it now or would I articulate it now? I might not be able to do that, but what’s unique about this release is that we clearly had to push the release a year. And that pushed into our preproduction of this two-part Fast finale. So, every day, I’m coming to talk about Fast 9 and going home to work on Fast 10.”
Will Tom Holland appear in Fast X?
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In August 2020, We Got This Covered claimed that Spider-Man star Tom Holland was being sought for a role in the next Fast & Furious movie.
This is yet to be officially confirmed, however, so file this particular story firmly under “Rumour” until any more concrete news starts to emerge about Fast 10 casting.
So far we have seen Brie Larson and Jason Momoa added to the cast, so anything is possible!
Read more: How the Fast & Furious series became Hollywood’s most important franchise
Fast & Furious 9 is out now in cinemas – find out how to rewatch all the Fast & Furious movies in order, and read our Fast & Furious 9 review.
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